Cowes Dinghy Week at Gurnard Sailing Club
by Mike Martin 4 Aug 2009 22:41 BST
26 July 2009
A good stiff breeze greeted the 180-odd entrants as Cowes Dinghy Week got under way in Gurnard Bay on Sunday 26 July. After a welcome from Race Officer Steve Cole and the forecast for plenty of wind for the first few days of the regatta, the first class away in the extended starting sequence was the catamarans, sailing near the edge of their comfort zone as the wind freshened.
The wind continued fresh to strong for the first 4 days, but the wind-with-tide eased the indigenous Solent chop and all classes came to their start lines.
However, Thursday brought stronger winds and some major squalls which prevented any racing – it even put a ship on the rocks near Thorness Bay.
By this time the points position in several of the classes was very close, with all to be decided on the final day. Friday dawned fine with a sunny summer breeze and 2 races were set to complete the week.
Shadow cat sailor Paul Tanner had shown a mastery of heavy weather and was well placed to win the series - but in the milder conditions the consistent Robin Leather put in 2 good placings to win by just 1 point.
In the RS handicap fleet James French and Jess Olden did an excellent job with their RS800 in the heavy weather to tie with the RS500 of Tim Wilkins and Heather Martin by the final day. On Friday Keith Hayden’s RS700 popped up with 2 bullets to crowd eventual winner Wilkins and push French into third in one of the tightest finishes of the week.
The 18-strong RS400 class also went down to the wire as James Downer managed to hold off Brett Aarons and Graham Deegan by yet another single point margin and consign them to a tied second place overall. The result may have been different if Brett had not torpedoed his chances early on by nobly answering starting recalls directed at other boats.
The resurgent Laser class had 22 entries and enjoyed close racing in the varied conditions. Giles Peckham, Jamie Boag and Richard Ellis had been swapping top placings all week, and again all was to be decided in the last races in which Giles managed to prevail.
In the Laser handicap J. Davies had first place sewn up early, but Libby Deegan was locked in battle with one of the posse of BDSC visitors F. Penny for second place. A score of 1-2 on the mild Friday secured second spot for the home sailor.
Ed Collinge was narrowly ahead with a string of heavy weather second places in the Pico Race class, but Shannon Tate posted 2 final thirds to pip Ed by 2 points at the close.
By windy race 3 Derek and Daisy Ness had a narrow lead from the Welchs in the Slow Group, and carried their high scoring into the rest of the week to make sure of top spot.
At Friday evening’s prize giving professional sailor Ian Walker, recently released from Volvo race duties, recalled a stormy visit to Cowes Dinghy Week from Lepe beach long ago before commenting that the event still appears to enjoy rude health, and presenting trophies to the week’s winners.
The Yachts and Yachting Cup for best performance was won by visitors P. Whitbread and N. Hayes, with 5 bullets in 6 races in their RS200.
Results
Big cats : 1 Dougie Wright/Ian Lawrie, 2 James Martin/Humphrey Carter
Shadows : 1 Robin Leather, 2 Paul Tanner, 3 Laurie Gustar
RS Handicap : 1 Tim Wilkins/Heather Martin , 2 Keith Hayden, 3 James French/Jess Olden
Fast Handicap : 1 Martin Scott, 2 Sophie and Peter French, 3 Mike Sleep
RS400 : 1 James Downer/Jon Price, 2 Brett Aarons, 3 Graham Deegan/Judith French
Laser : 1 Giles Peckham, 2 Jamie Boag, 3 Richard Ellis
Laser Handicap : 1 J. Davies, 2 Libby Deegan, 3 F. Penny
Medium Handicap : 1 P. Whitbread/N. Hayes, 2 Gary Collett/Roger Gill, 3 J. Sceales/J. Campbell
Pico Race : 1 Shannon Tate, 2 Ed Collinge, 3 S. Sanders
Slow Handicap : 1 Derek/Daisy Ness, 2 J./M. Welch, 3 Tom Harrison/Oscar O’Donovan
Henry Symons Memorial Trophy – First Parent & child : Derek/Daisy Ness
Morgan Ladies Cup : Libby Deegan
John Davis Memorial – Best Performing GSC Cadet : Shannon Tate
Yachts & Yachting Cup for Best Overall Performance : P. Whitbread/N. Hayes